teadmistepagas

Teadmistepagas is an Estonian compound term that literally translates as "baggage of knowledge" and denotes the body of knowledge, skills, experiences and attitudes that an individual or group carries. The concept emphasizes the accumulated nature of learning and how prior knowledge influences new learning, problem solving and professional performance.

In educational contexts teadmistepagas describes learners' prior knowledge and competencies that teachers take into account when designing instruction. In work and organizational settings it is used to refer to employees' competence portfolios, professional experience and tacit skills important for job performance and knowledge transfer. As a planning concept it helps identify gaps, guide training and support onboarding, mentoring and succession processes.

Teadmistepagas encompasses explicit knowledge (documents, procedures, certificates), tacit knowledge (craft skills, judgment, relational know‑how) and meta‑competences such as learning strategies and adaptability. It is shaped by formal education, informal learning, work experience and social interactions.

Related concepts include competence, expertise, human capital and knowledge management. The term highlights both the value and the constraints of existing knowledge: it is a resource to build on, but may also create cognitive or organizational inertia that needs active reflection and updating through lifelong learning.